Sugar-cane harvester



Nov. 8, 1927.

G. D. LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed May l2, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,313

G. D. LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER 1o Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 12. 1919 Nov. 8, 192 7.

G. D. LUCE SUGAR GANE HARVESTER Filed May 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 R s E Wu m 9 :J M E. vm. .N\.-.n\\ I um. D. m m ffbKl. s. m m R. Nm u? Nm m Y E E r :i l g @AQ E @U u wf QM. n f, fw m'cru l Nov. 8, 192 7.

Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,313

G.D.LUCE

SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed May 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,313 n l Gi D. LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed May 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 i-Jol QU-es@ E /NVEAFR ATToR/VE Y Nov. 8, 1927.

G. D. LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed May 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 MNHN Nov. 8, 192 7.

G. D. LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed llay 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 Mmm Nov. 8, 1927..` 1,648,313

G. D.` LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed May 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 ,MNHN

1min@ S g Nov. 8, 1927.

G. D. LUCE SUGAR CANE HARVESTER Filed May 12, 1919 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 977 /VEY Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE D. LUCE, OF WATEIQTOWN, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T0 LUCE CANE HARVESTER CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SUGAR-CANE Application filed May 12,

This invention relates to harvesters for sugar cane and the like, and particularly to improvements applicable to the general type of harvester disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,053,917 of Feb. 18th, 1913. A machine ot' this character is adapted to be propelled along the row of growing cane, cutting the cane as it advances, feeding it throu h the machine and acting upon it by suita le instrumentalities which prepare it for the mill by removing the green tops and leaves. The present invention deals especially with improved means for feeding the cane into and through the machine, topping and stripping it, and disposing of the topped and stripped cane. More specifically the present improvements include a novel and improved construction of pick-up chains for gathering in the cane and straightening it up prior to and during the cutting operation, and for feeding it to the cane conveying means; improvements in the means for conveying the cut cane through the machine, including novel constructions for guiding the conveyor chains: an improved construction of guide channel or trip chute for the butts of the cane having special reference to the cleaning of dirt and loose stalks out of the channel and also improved means for supporting the butts of the stalks while passing the topping and stripping devices: improved means for topping the cane: improvements in the strippers or brushes for stripping the cane; t e provision of means for separating the cane when topped and stripped from loose trash and for depositing thc cut, stripped and topped cane in a convenient manner, preferably in piles upon portions of the ground which have been cleaned to receive it. The present invention also relates to various improvements in the general construction of the machine and the means for driving the different parts.

'lhe nature of the various features of the invention and the objects attained thereby can best be explained by reference to a specific machine embodying all of such features, `such a machine being illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification. It is to be understood, however, that the machine specifically illus trated and described represents merely the best embodiment of the invention now known HARVESTER.

1919. Serial No. 296,539.

to me, which I have therefore chosen to illustrate, but the invention is not limited to the precise constructions set forth and the various features of the invention may be modified in form or used in other relationships and need not all be employed in a single machine.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central vertical lon itudinal section of the machine; Figure 2 1s a front view of the machine;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the pick-up chains and parts of the conveyor chains;

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the upper parts of the conveyor chains and the spring pressers and guide forks therefor;

Figures 5 and 6 are perspective views of two forms of spring pressers, a part of one of the guide wings being broken away in Figure 6;

Figure 7 is a side elevation ofone of the guide forks;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic sectional view showing the arrangement ofthe conveyor chains, pick-up chains, trip chute and mud chain, taken on line VIII-VIII of Figure l, but on a larger scale;

Figure 9 is a detail side view on a larger scale than Figure 8, showing the upper part of the elevator chain and its sprocket;

Figure 10 is a transverse sectional View, on the same scale as Figure 9, taken across the elevator chain and its guides and showing two of the flights on the chain in elevation;

Figure 11 is a side View of the topping devices, the topping fender being shown in vertical section;

Figure 12 is a plan view of the topping devices;

Figure 13 is a detail View in transverse section of the fixed and revolving topping knives showing the shear action thereof;

Figure 14 is a. sectional plan view of the stripping brushes, brush tables and guards;

Figure 15 is a side elevation of one of the brushes mounted on the brush table;

Figures 16 and 17 are detail views showing the construction of the flexible spring fingers or bristles of the stripping brushes;

Figure 18 is a side elevation showing the arrangement of the blower and nozzle used for blowing the loose trash out of the cane being delivered to the hopper;

Figure 19 is a rear view of the blower;

Figure 20 is a transverse section through the hopper showing the hopper door open;

Fi ure 21 is a detail sectional view showing t e hopper door closed;

Figure 22 is a view in side elevation of the hopper; h

Figure 23 (Sheet 2) is a detail in side elevation showing the trash rake and connections for operating the same;

Figure 24 (Sheet 2) is a rear view of the trash rake.

Referring to the drawings in detail, particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the machine comprises a frame-work 1 of suitable construction, mounted on a tractor preferably comprising a pair of traveling treads 2, which may be mounted and propelled in any well known 'manner These treads are spaced apart suflciently to travel in the middles at each side of the row of cane to be cut. The power for driving these treads to propel the machine aswell as for actuating the various mechanism thereof, is derived from a suitable motor indicated at 3. At the rear end of the'frame are preferably mounted a `pair of trailer wheels l which in the present insta-nce are used for steering. Near the front of the frame are mounted a pair of vertically adjustable shafts 5 carrying at their lower ends the disc cutters 6, the shafts and cutters being positively rotated by suitable means such as the driving chains 7. The .cutters shown are of the general character set forth in my Patent No. 762,073, and are preferably provided With trash impellers 8 of the t pe covered by my Patent No. 1,207,580, an as illustrated embody also the improvements set forth in the application for patent filed by myself and F. C. D. Wilkes on July 21, 1919, Serial No. 312,316, filed July 15, 1919, nowPatnt No. 1,442,032, granted January 9, 1923, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Suitable means such as the levers 9 and operating devices therefor, are provided for raising and lowering the cutters, Figures 1 and 2 showing the cutters fully raised, as when the machine is not in operation. When the cane is actually being cut the cutters are lowered so as to cut the cane at or below the ground level. In front of the cutters are mounted the trashdeflectors 10 which are also described and claimed in the saidappiication of myself and Wilkes. It will be understood that the trash deflectors and impellers are not in all cases essential and in factthe present invention is not limited to use with the cutters of the type herein disclosed, as any other practical form of cutting means may be substituted. At the 'very front of the machine a separator plow l1 is shown, the purpose of this plow being to travel between the rows of cane being cut and the adjacent row of uncut cane in order to separate the leaning cane of the two rows and assist in directing the cane of the row being cut into the throat of the machine between the pick-up chains. This plow is not claimed in this ap lication and will not be described in detail) as it forms the subject matter of an application for patent filed by F. C. D. Wilkes and F. K. Flynn, ISerial No. 310,956, filed July 15, 1919, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application. Some form of separator plow is preferably mounted on the machine for the purposes stated but is not essential.

Mounted on the forward part of the machine, preferably in an upwardly and rearwardly inclined position, are the pick-up chains 20 (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). These chains run over sprockets 2l, 22 and 23, the sprockets 21 being mounted on shafts 21 which are driven from the motor. The chains are providedV at intervals with the hinged fingers 25 which are mounted on pivots 20 carried by projecting lugs 27 formed on certain of the links. The fingers are provided with stops 28 which engage abutments carried by the chain links and serve to limit the pivotal movement of the fingers in one direction. The fingers are thus held against movement beyond a position approximately at right angles to the chain, in a direction opposed lo that of the movement of the chain, but are capable of being folded against the chain in the direction of movement of the chain. The parts of the chains between the sprockets 22 and 23 flare outwardly as shown in Figure 3 so as to form a V-shaped opening or throat which gathers in the cane of the row to be cut, the chains serving to lift the leaning or fallen cane, straighten it up, and draw it into the machine and against the cutters. These chains are preferably driven at such a speed that the horizontal component of the movement of the fingers is equal or substantially equal to the rate of forward travel of the machine.

Immediately after the cane is severed by the disc cutters and while it is still held hy the pick-up chains, it is seized by the conveyor chains of which there are preferably three as shown in Figures 1, 3, 4 and 8. As appears particularly from Figure 8 there are two vertically spaced chains 30 on one side of the line of travel of the cane and a single chain 31 on the other side, the rearward traveling runs of which are forced together by spring pressure so as to grip and hold the cane firmly and carry it upwardly towards the rear of the machine. The chain 3l is preferably provided at intervals with lugs 32 as shown in Figures 3 and 4 to assist in carryingr the cane through the machine. The chain 31 runs over sprockets 33 and 34 at its front and rear ends, and the chains run over sprockets 35 and 36. The sprockets 34 and 36 are mounted on shafts 37 which are positivelyI driven from the motor, the conveyor chains being preferably driven at a considerably greater. speed than that of the pick-up chains, which latter, as stated, preferably travel at approximately the speed ofthe forward movement of the machine. In practice I prefer to make the conveyor chains travel about three times as fast as the pick-up chains. Owing to this higher speed of the conveyor chains it is advantageous to make the fingers on .the pick-up chains hinged as above described, or otherwise capable of yielding, so that such fingers will not interfere with the movement of the cane when gripped by the conveyor chains, and carried rearwardly at the higher s eed thereof. When the cane is gripped y the conveyor chains the fingers on the pick-up chains which are in the path of the cane simply pivot rearwardly as shown in Figure 3 so as to permit the cane to be carried between them.

For applying the spring pressure to the rearwardly traveling stretches of the couveyor chains, so as to cause them to grip the cane, I preferably employ a series of spring metal pressers 40 and 41 as shown particularly in Figures 4. 5 and 6, these presscrsl being fastened atA their forward ends to Athe framev members 42 and 43 and bearing against the chains at their outer or free ends. Means may be provided for limiting the out.- ward movement of the springs, such as the check bolts 44 engaging the turned over or otl'set ends 45 and 46 of the springs. Owingr to the sagging of the chains or to their cngagement with the cane, the chains are sometimes forced ofl" the bearing surfaces of the springs and in order to prevent them from catching behind thc springs 1 preferably provide the latter with guide wings over.

which the chains will slide without catching until they find their way hack again on to the bearing faces of the springs. These wings may be formed hy bending down extensions of the springs as shown at 47 in Figure 5, or a separate cover member carrying the wings 48 may be attached to the outer surface of the springs as shown in Figure 6. lVith the wing construction there no catching.r of the'chains. but if the chains are momentarily forced oti'the springs thcv quickly resume. their normal position. The .spring presser-s yield sufiicicntly to permit the chains to separate so as to. accommodate the larger canes aud at the same time l-:ccn the chains in contact with the cane at all times so that the cane is firmly held.

In order to positively guide the. conveyor l'chains at their upper ends on to the driving sprockets 34 and liti. l preferably provide the guide forks 50 as shown in Figures 4 .and 7'., between the arms of which the chains run, the arms thus positively guiding the chains on to the sprockets. The arms preferably extend part way around the sprockets so that there is no chance for the chains to jump olf.

As the cane is carried upwardly and rearwardly by the conveyor chains the butts of the stalks are drawn 'into a guide channel or trip chute. best shown in F igures 1, 8 and 10. The sides of this trip chut-e are formed by the angle irons 52 and the bottom of the chute is formed by the two chains or endless belts 53 and 54. The lower belt or chain 53 which I term the mud chain is a short chain belt without raised flights, the upper run of which travels forwardly and downwardly. The object of this chain is to detach the dirt which is likelyA to adhere to the butts of the cane, particularly where the latter is cut slightly below the ground, as is done wherever possible. This mud chain carries the dirt out of the chute and prevents it from accumulating in the machine. It also assists in getting rid of suckers or canes which are too short t0 be grasped by the conveyor' chains and carried through the machine. The forward end of the mud chain also serves as an abutment for tripping the cane to give it a rearward inclination as it is held by the conveyor chains. 'lhe forward end of the mud chain is so located that as the cane is carried upwardly and rearwardly by the conveyor chains it will strike the mud chain slightly above the butts and will thereby be forced into, the desired inclined position which position it will occupy through the remainder of its passage through the machine pastille topping knife and stripping brushes, thebutts of the cane resting first on t-he mud chain and then on the elevator chain 54. The position of the cane passing the brushes is indicated in dotted lines at 55 in Figure 1. The

mud chain 53 travels over a sprocket 5G at its lower end, and over a sprocket 5i' at its upper end. The last named sprocket is mounted on a shaft 58 to which is lixcd a gear 59 which meshes with a gear (30 mounted on the shatt of the sprocket 61 at the lower end of the elevator chain. At its upper end the elevator chain runs over a sprocket (32 which is positively driven from the motor. The upper run of the elevator chain travels upwardly and rearwardly" in the direction of movement of the cane, preferably at a speed higher than that of the conveyor chains. In practice I have obtained good results by driving the elevator chain iu the neighborhood ol` one hundred t'eet per minute faster than thc'couveyor chains. The elevator chain is also provided at intervals with rai-ed tlig'nts (35 which cn- `gage theI butts of the cane to prevent the cane from slipping downwardly while passscrew shaft may be turne ing through the machine. The elevator chain is also preferably provided with one 0r more flights 66, three being the number which I have utilized in practice. These high flights are provided with serrated edges 67, lthe sharp points of which engage any stalks of cane which may happen to slip out of the conveybr chains and fall into the chute and conveys such stalks out of the chute so as to prevent any accumulation thereof in such a way as might tend to clog the machine. The edges of these flights may be formed or sharpened in any other suitable manner to prevent the cane from slipping over them. The links 68 of the elevator chain are preferably guided at their edges by the guide bars 69 and 70 as shown in Figure 10, the flights being notched out as indicated at 71 so as to clear the lower guide bars 70. The flights 66 are preferably T shaped .in section as shown in Figure 9, one arm 72 of thev T being fastened to a flight and the other arm 7 3 being free so as to permit the chain to pass around the sprockets but being adapted to rest upon the adjacent flight during the straight part of the travel of the chain.

The cane being carried upwardly and rearwardly by the conveyor chains and having been tripped by the engagement of its lower ends with the front of the mud chain and the butts of the cane traveling up through the guide channel formed by the mud chain, and elevator chain, and the side walls 52, is next acted upon by the topping devices which cut olf the green tops of the cane. The topping means are shown in Figures 1, 2, 11, 12 and 13. The topping knue frame 80 is preferably constructed as shown most clearly in Figures 11 and 12, this frame being of a sort of yoke shape having two arms connected to a body or base at one end and being suitably mounted to have an up and down adjustment. As illustrated, the frame is mounted on a rotatable screw threaded shaft 81 attached to members of the main frame of the machine and which is provided with -a squared upper end 82 which may be engaged by a wrench so that the to adjust' the frame up or down. Journalled in bearings 85 and 86 on the main frame is the topping knife shaft 87 which is rapidly rotated by power from the motor. This shaft passes through a bearing 88 on the topping knife frame and is provided with a spline 89. The topping knife hub 90 is mounted between the arms of the topping knife frame and has a feather fitting in the spline 89 so that it is positively rotated with the shaft 87 but is longitudinally slidable thereon and is capable of vertical adjustment with the frame 80. The hub 90 carries the revolving top` ping knife blades 91 which are preferably of a cross section such as shown in Figure 13, each blade being sharpened at one edge 92 and having a raised rib 93 along the back. Mounted on the lower arm of the topping frame 80 is a fixed blade 94 adapted to cooperate with the revolving blades 91 so that the latter will cut the cane with a shear action. The topping knife is revolved rapidly in the direction of the arrow in Figure 12 and engages the cane as it is carried up by the conveyor chains and severs the green tops. The ribs 93 strike the tops as they are severed and throw them clear of the topping knives so as to effectually prevent the tops from falling down into the conveyor chains and tending to clog the machine. This is an important function and is very effeetually performed by providing ribs or raised members along the backs of the revolving knife blades. The frame 80 preferably earries a topping fender 100 which is adjustable up and down with the frame and topping knife and which is struck by the tops of the cane as the latter are carried up by the conveyor chains. This fender serves to bend over the green tops of the cane so that the cane will be topped as near as possible at the point where it is bent, this point constituting the line of demarcation between the ripe cane which is comparatively stiff and the green top which is flexible. The topping fender preferably extends at right angles to the plane of revolution of the topping knife and to the conveyor chains and transversely across the machine, as shown in Figure 12, and has a flange 101 extending forwardly a short distance at one side. As shown in Figure 2 a vertical shield 102 mav be mounted at one side of the path of travel of the cane up through the machine and is connected at its upper edge by a slidingjoint 103 with the Harige 101. This shield, when used, holds the cane away from the side of the machine where the operator stands and prevents any tops from being thrown out in that direction. The revolvingr knife, owing to the projection on the back tends to throw the tops towards the opposite side of the machine and a chute 104 is preferably provided to receive the tops and carry them out of the way towards the back of the machine.

After the cane has passed the topping knife and been topped by it, it 1s next carried b v the conveyor chains between the rapidly revolving stripping brushes. These may be of any suitable construction but are preferably of subsantially the form shown in Figures .14 to 17. As here illustrated, each of the brushes comprises a broad substantially flat casing 110 formed of sheet metal and mounted on a shaft 111, the portion of which within the casing is preferably of square cross section so that the casing may be firmly riveted thereto and caused to positively rotate with the shaft. The casing loo 55 substantiall is formed with a plurality of notches 11.2 along each edge and extending longitudinally inside of each edge is a rod 113. The flexible fingers or bristles 114 of the brush 6 are formed of spring wire each wire bein 10 wire is received between the vside'wallsrof the casing and thus maintains theouter p art of the bristles in an outwardly projecting position. The end of the portion 116 is'bent at right angles thereto as indicated at'117'in Figures 16 and 17, the extreme tip being again bent over as indicated at 118., this last" named bent portion beingadapted to engagel the casing wall and owing to itsshape preventing the casingfrom being engaged by ,a1 sharp end of the wire which would tend to The coil 115 acts as cut through the same. a spring and permits the Wire bristles -to yield fieel While providing great durabilV ity. Durability and flexibility are also promoted by the use of a long armllt within` the casing which engages the casing only .ati its innei` end and may thus yield to ass1st` in taking up the initial shocks when the tips of the wires strike the cane, and also the recoil which occurs when the tips of the wires pass the cane after having been de` ilected by engagement therewith. The flat hollow construction of the brush casing 1s valuable as providing for the reception of 'the bristles in the manner described, afrrdalso because of its fan action when rapidly revolved. By reason of this action it throws or blows the leaves and trash` stripped from the cane away from the machine and thus not only clears itself from the trash but tends to prevent the trash from falling in or near the machine where it may clog the saine or get in the way of the operator. lThe brushes are positively rotated by power from the motor, a speedaof rotation which I have found satisfactory in practice being in the neighborhood of 80G-revolutions per minute. The brush shafts 111 aremounted in suitable bearings in the machine and are preferably' disposed substantially at right angles tothe `conveyor drive 1n vvertical planesat each side thereof, so that they occupy a forwardly and upwardlyinclined position. Owingto this position and to the vertical or vsomewhat rearwardly inclined position of the caneI as held by the conveyor chains, the lbrushes act to strip the cane diagonally downward which removes the leaves therefrom most etl'ectively. The brushes preferably rotate in the direction of the larrows shown in Figure 14 so that the movement of the stripping 'fingers during the stripping operation is in the opposite direction to that of the travel a of the cane.

have not illustrated al' In order to prevent the leaves or trash from wrapping around the brush shafts or getting into the driving earing each brush 1s mounted immediately a ove a brush table 120, the bottom of the brush casing rotating over this table with only a slight clearance. In this way the trash is not able to get under the brush casing or to come in contact with the shaft. As thev spring fingers sometimes break, ypieces of the rear ends thereof may fall downinsideof the casing, and in order ,to prevent such pieces becoming jammed between the'edges of the casing and the table, notches-121 are preferably formed in the back of each wing of the casing to ypermit 126 which protect the operator from therevolving brushes sind also cause the trash to any such fragments to be thrown out. The* brushes are preferably` partly enclosed .be- 'tween thefront shieldsl 125 and rear'shields be'pthiown out laterally through-'the open spacesbetween the shields soas to-prevent any-ofthe@ trash being thrownV where it will be .in the wa or lwhere itmay"get into any other'part o the'machine.-

jlrO'teCtiiigshields"orliousin'v ',maybe employed about? p rjmachine'fw ereverfound desirableto preteet working pantsfgearing sprockets, etc., especially wherever .trash might come in contactyvith" Suchv'pa'rts'jand tend to accumulate orclogTthejflmacline, I i' ehrhousingsas they would preventv theoperativejz arts of thel` machine from Abeing'properly'-z VShown in thedrawings. In Figui" however, ,I have showiiffthe housings l" hielfcover Athe pick-up chainsfjlay'v Vvlie, projecting fingers only exposed.v 'These -housings..arepreferably provided with suitable vopenings to permit access to the "bearings, the openings bteiigl covered by hinged doors as indicated 8. j

After the cane has passed thetop ing and stripping devices as described and as been topped and stripped ready for the mill, means may be provided for cutting it in two so as to facilitate its further handling. I have illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1 a middle cutter for this purpose, as indicated by the numeral 135. Any suitable form of cutter may be utilized for this purpose or such cutter may be omitted altoy gether and the cane delivered full length.

for cleaning out this trash comprise a blower 140 shown in Figures 1, 18 and 19, which is mounted near the rear end of the machine and which has a nozzle 141 preferably of attened shape and arranged to direct a strong current of air upon the cane as it falls from the apron 136 into the hopper. As illustrated, the blower nozzle 141 1s located directly under t-he apron and projects into an opening 142 in the end of the hopper (see Figure 20). The trash being light is blown away by the current of air and only the cleaned cane falls into the hopper.

The hopper may be of any suitable construction, but the form which I prefer to em loy is illustrated in Figures 1,- 20, 21 an 22. This hopper has a laterally inclined bottom 150 as shown in Figure 20, and a door 151 fixed to a shaft 152 mounted for oscillating movement.

ure 21. It is preferably provided along its edge with a series of pins 153, this construction being adopted so that the door may be closed without jamming upon any stalks of cane which may be at the time sliding out of the hopper. This construction is desirable as the cane is constantly being delivered by the apron 136 so that there is always some cane dropping into the hopper. The door is capable of being closed by means of a plunger 155 slidably mounted in a bracket 156 and pivoted at its lower end to an arm 157 on the shaft 152. The plunger 155 carries a cross pin 158 adapted to'be pressed down by the foot of the operator when closing the door and to be engaged by latch 159 which holds it down and maintains the door closed. When the door is to be opened the operator retracts the latch with his foot and the door opens by gravity, aided if necessary by a spring 160. Any other suitable door controlling devices may be employed.

In order that the cane discharged from the hopper may fall on a comparatively clean spot so as not to become intermingled with the trash with which the field is covered( l preferably provide means for raking away the trash immediately in front of the hopper. For this purpose I mount a rake on the machine as shown in Figures 1, 23 and 24. The rake illustrated comprises a plurality of rake teeth 170 attached to a bar 171 journalled horizontally under the main frame. Connections are provided for swinging the bar so as to move the rake into an operative position, these connections comprising 1n the construction shown, an arm 172 projecting from the rake bar and connected by a link 173 with a hand lever 174. During the 0peration of the machine the rake is normally moved to retracted position as shown in dot- Ated lines in Figure 23, and the hopper door is closed. The cane then accumulates in the hopper until the latter is sufliciently filled.

The door is shownv open in Figures 20 and 22 and closed in Fig- The operator then moves the hand lever to bring. the rake into operation and after the machine has traversed a few feet the rake is moved out of operative position and the hopper door tripped so as to discharge the accumulated cane upon the space cleaned by the rake. The hopper door is then closed and the cane again accumulates therein as the machine proceeds. The cane is thus discharged in piles upon the clean spots on the ground, the cane having been previously topped, stripped, out in two in the middle, and separated from the .loose trash by the blower, all as above set forth.

Any suitable driving connections may be utilized for transmitting power from the motor to the various parts to be driven. In Figure 1 the driving connections which I prefer to employ are illustrated diagrammatically. To refer to these briefly, the motor shaft drives a transmission 180 from which a shaft 181 extends to the differential 182. The tractor belts are driven by chains 183 and 184 from this differential. The other parts of the mechanism are driven from the shaft 190 which is driven from the transmission by chain 191. A shaft 195 is driven from the shaft 190 by a chain 196. Through the medium of a chain 197, beveled gearing, and a shaft 198, beveled gearing in a housing 199 is driven, which in turn drives the cut-ters 6 through the chains 7. The pick-up chain drivingshafts 24 are driven from the shaft 195 through the chain I 200 and beveled gearing. The elevator chain is driven from the shaft 190 by a chain 205 and the mud chain is driven from the elevator chain by the spur gears 59 and 60. The conveyor chains are driven from the shaft 190 through the chains 206 and 207 and beveled gearing. The apron 136 is driven from the elevator sprocket shaft through a chain 208.

While I have illustrated and described in detail a machine embodying my improvements in caneharvesters in preferred form, it is to be understood that the improvements are capable of many different embodiments, and I do not wish 'to be limited to the precise constructions described. On the other hand, I intend to cover my invention broadly in whatever form its principles may be utilized. Many of the features of my invention may, furthermore, be utilized without others, or in different relations than as particularly set forth. Some of the features may be entirely dispensed with if desired. For instance, the middle cutter, blower, hopper and rake may all be omitted. Other parts of the apparatus may also in some instances be omitted or utilized in modified form.

The stripping and topping mechanisms are not claimed in detail herein for the reason that they form the subject matter of diconveying means, and fingered piek-up2v means for feeding the cane to theV conveying visional applications Serial No. 396,004` filed July 13, 1920, now Patent No. 1,541,231, granted June 9, 1925, and Serial No. 566,730, filed June 8, 1922, now Patent N o. 1,583,478, granted May 4, 1926, respectively.

Having thusl described my invention, I claim Y 1. In a machine of the kind described, a forwardly extending pick-up chain, and means for driving the chain in one direction, said chain having passable fingers hinged to swing out of the way when overtaken by work moving in the direction in which the chain is driven to permit the work to pass them, and means for limiting movement of the fingersvin the opposite direction to outwardly projecting positions, whereby the fingers constitute feeding means for compelling the work to move as fast as the pick-up chain, but offer no obstruction to movement of the work in the direction in which the chain is driven, at a higher rate than that at which the chain is driven.

2. In a machine of the character described the combination of a pair of cooperating forwardly extendingy pick-up chains formin a throat for the reception of the cane, said chains having pick-up fingers hinged thereon and free to swing from a position perpendicular to a position parallel to the said chains in the direction of movement of the chains, and means for positively driving the chains.

' 3. In a machine of the character described the combination of a pick-up chain having fingers adapted to yield in the direction of movement of the chain, conveying means for the cane adapted to receive the cane from the pick-up chain and convey it at a higher speed than that at which the pick-up chain travels and means for driving said chains.

4. In a machine of the character described the combination of rapidly moving cane means, the. fingers of said pick-up means being yieldable in the direction of travel of the cane while carried by the conveying means. f

5. In a machine of the character described the combination of rapidly;driven conveyor chains for conveying the cane, slow-moving pick-up chains for feeding the cane to the conveyor chains and means for driving said chains.

6. In a machine of the character described the combination of upwardly and rearwardly inclined conveyor chains for grasping the cane in a substantially upright position and carrying it towards the rear of the machine, and similarly inclined convergent "cooperating pick-up chains for engaging the cane near the ground, swinging it to a substantially upright position and feeding it to the conveyor chains.

7. In a machine of the character described the combination of rearwardly and up-l wardly inclined cooperating conveyor chains for conveying the cane through the machine in a substantially upright position, and cooperating pick-up chains extending forwardly and downwardly of the conveyor chains and having outwardly flaring portions adapted to form a' converging mouth or throat for gathering in the cane near the ground, swinging it to an upright position and feeding it tothe conveyor chains.

8. In a machine of the character described the combination of rearwardlyand upwardly inclined conveyor chains for/conveying the cane through the machine in .asubstantially upright position, pickup chains extending forwardly of the v 'conveyor chains and having outwardly flaring portions adapted to forni a converging mouth or throat for gathering in the cane and feeding it to the conveyor chains, and'means for driving the conveyor chains at a higher speed than that at which the pick-up chains are driven.

9. In a machine of the character described the combination of rearwardly and upwardly i inclined cooperating conveyor chains for conveying the cane through the machine in a substantially upright position, and pick-up chains extending forwardly of the conveyor chains and having outwardly Haring portions adapted to form a converging mouth or throat for gatherin in the cane and feeding it to the. conveyor c airis,l said f ick-up chains being provided with fingers vyieldable in the direction of movement of the cane while carried by the conveyor chains.

10. In a'4 machine of the character described th'e combination .of conveyor chaiiis for conveying the cane rearwardly through the-machine, pick-up chains for feeding the cane to the conveyor chains, means for .driving the pick-up chains at. substantially the speed of, movement of the machine, and means for driving the conveyor chains at a higher speed.

11. In a machine of the character described, tliecombination of 'cooperating cane conveying chains, and leaf springs cooperating therewith to press the chains toward one another, said springs being arranged in alter- `nate or staggered re'lation at opposite sides ias licv

scribed, the combination with cooperatin cane conveying chains, of a plurality o presser springs bearing at spacedintervals against one of the chains to press 1t toward the other, and a presser spring bearing against said other chain to press it toward the first mentioned chain, the last mentioned spring being located between the two first mentioned springs, whereby direct opposition of the springs is avoided.

14. In a machine of the character described the combination of a cane conveying chain and a presser member adapted to cooperate therewith, said member being supported at its end towards the front of the chain and extending beside the chain in the direction of travel thereof and inclined outwardly so as to-bear near its free end against the back of the chain, and means for adjustably limiting the movement of the free end of said presser member towards the chain.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of cooperating cane conveying chains, and presser springs cooperating therewith to press the chains .toward' one another, rsaid presser springs being arranged in alter-nate or staggered relation along the chains/tov avoid directly opposing one another,-and -ineans for limiting the distance lthat thefs rings can press the chains so that the course ,between the chains will not rendered devious by the pressure of said springs.' f

16. In a machine of the character .described the'combination of a cane conveying chain and a presser member ada ted to cooperate therewith, said member I ported at its end towards the front orf/the chain and extending beside the chain/in t direction oftravel thereof, and inclined/outwardly so as -to bear near its free end against the back of the chain, and guard means tor preventing the chain from catching behind said member when forced woi the bearing surface of the member.

17. In a machine of the character described the combination of ay cane conveying chain and a presser 'spring' adaptedA to cooperate therewith, said spring be'ngvsupported at its end towards'. the front of the chain and extending beside Ythe chain inthe direction of travel thereof, and inclindfoutwardly so as to blar -near its free end ,against the back of the cehain, and guard wings extending from the edges of ,said springv back; wardly away fromlthe chain. A Y

18. In a machine of the character` "described, cane conveying means including va conveyor chain running over a sprocket, and means for guiding tliefchain on to 4the sprocket comprising a fork having arms yextending adjacent to opposite fa'cesof the sprocket between which arms .the vchain is guided. u 19. In a machine of thecharacter de-f scribed, cane conveying means including a conveyor chain running over a sprocket, and means for guiding the chain on to the sprocket comprising a fork having arms extending adjacent to opposite faces of the sprocket and part way around the same, between whieh arms the chain is guided.

20. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a plurality of chains adapted to grip the cane and carry the same through the machine in a standing position, sprockets about which said chains run, and means providing guiding surfaces adjacent to opposite faces of the sprockets for guiding the chains on to the sprockets.

21.111 a machine of the character described, conveyor chains adapted to grip the cane and carry it through the machine, driving sprockets for the chains and guide arms for guiding the chains on to the driving sprockets.

22. In a machine of the character described the combination of cane conveying means adapted to grip and hold the cane and convey it through the machine in a standing position, and a chute substantially parallel to said conveying means for guiding the butts of the cane stalks, said chute including means forming a traveling bottom therefor.

23. In a machine of the character described the bination of cane conveying chains ad ted to press upon and grip the canefstalksupon opposite sides, and convey the/same through the machine, and an endless belt running substantially parallel to said conveying chains for supporting the E/butts of the cane stalks.

24. In a machine of the character described the combination of cane conveying means for conveying the cane through the machine in a standing position, and a trip chute for guiding the butts of the cane stalks` said trip chute having vmeans forming a traveling bottom therefor, the forward end of the trip chute being so located with reference to the path /f .travel of the cane when carried bythe conveying means that it willstrike the' cane stalks above the butts thereof, sofas to tilt the cane. v V25. Ina machine of the character described the combination ofl cane conveying meansvand a chute for guiding the butts of the cane stalks, a plurality of endless belts driven in 'opposite directions forming the bottom of the chute.

26. In a machine of the character described the combination of means for conveying the cane through the machine in a stand-V ing position, and a chute for guiding the butts of the cane stalks, a part of the bottom of the chute being formed by an endless belt traveling in a direction opposite to that of the movement of the cane.

27. In a machine of the character described the combination of means for conveying the cane through the machine adapted to grip the cane and hold it in a standing position, and a chute for guiding the butts of the cane stalks, a part of the bottom of the chute being formed by an endless belt traveling in the same direction as the movement of the cane.

28. In a machine of the character described, means for conveying the .cane through the machine in a standing position, a traveling belt for supporting the butts of the cane, and means for driving said belt in the direction of movement of the cane at a slightly higher speed than the speed of movement of the cane conveying means.

29. In a machine of the character described, having means for conveying the cane through the machine in a standing position, a traveling belt for supporting the butts of the cane, and means for driving said belt in the direction of movement of the cane, said belt being provided at intervals with raised flights having sharpened edges to prevent fallen cane from slipping tliereover.

30.1n a machine of the character described, haviii means for conveying the cane through the machine in a standing position, a traveling belt for sup orting the butts of the cane, and means or driving said belt in the direction of movement of the cane, said belt being provided at`intervals with raised flights, some of which are higher tgan others and are provided with serrated e es.

g1. In a machine of the character described the combination of rearwardly and upwardly inclined conveyor chains adapte to convey the cane throuoh the machine in a standing position, and a rearwardl and upwardly inclined trip chute below the conveyor chains adapted to guide the butts of the cane, the bottom of the forward lower .pirt of said trip chute being formed by a lt traveling in a direction opposite to that of the movement of the cane, the lower forward portion of said belt being so located as to engage the cane stalks slightly above the butts thereof and trip the stalks into a rearwardly inclined position.

32. In a machine of the character described, having means for conveying the cane through the machine in a standing position, an elevator belt for supporting the butts of the cane, said belt having raised liights thereon undercut at their bases, and guide rails for supporting the runs of said belt.

33. In a machine of the character described, means for topping and stripping the cane, a rake carried by the machine adapted to be intermittently operated to rake the trash from portions of the ground, a hopper carried by the machine adapted to receive the stripped and topped cane and means for intermittently discharging the cane from the hopper upon the cleared spaces.

34. In a machine of the character described, the combination of topping and stripping devices, means for separating the loose trash from the topped and stripped cane, a hopper adapted to receive the topped, stripped and cleaned cane and discharge the same at intervals upon the ground, and means for clearing spaces on the ground in advance of the hopper to receive the cane discharged therefrom.

35. A harvester for sugar cane having conveying means operating to convey the cane rearwardly at a higher speed than the speed of forward travel of the machine, and means for delivering the cane to the conveying means havin cane engaging members movable out of t e path of the cane as it is engaged by the conveying means.

36. A harvester for sugar cane having con veying means including an endless traveling member yieldingly engaging the cane at one side thereof, and a plurality of endless traveling members yieldingly engaging the cani: at the other side thereof at points above and below the point of engagement of the first mentioned endless member.

37. A harvester for sugar cane having conveying means including an endless traveling member engaging the cane at one side thereof, and a plurality of independent endless traveling members engaging the cane at the other side thereof at points above and below the point of engagement of the first mentioned endless member.

38. A harvester for sugar cane having couveying means including an endless traveling member engagin l the cane at one side thereof, and a plura ty of independent endless y traveling members yieldingly engaging the cane at the other side thereof at points above and below the point of engagement of the first mentioned endless member.

39. A harvester for sugar cane having conveying means including an endless traveling member yieldingly engaging the cane at one side thereof and a plurality of endless trav eling members yieldingly engaging the cane at the other side thereof at points above and below the point of engagement of thel first mentioned endless member, one of the endless members being provided with cane engagin abutments projecting inwardly therefrom or advancing the cane, and the other endless members being smooth faced.

40. In a machine of the character described, the combination of inclined, convergent, cooperating pick-up chains for engaging the cane near the ground and swinging it to a substantially upright position, and upwardly and rearwardly inclined conveyor chains arranged to grasp the cane fed by the pick-up chains in a substantially upright position, comprisin a traveling chain vergcnt, cooperating pick-up chains for enfor yieldingly engaging t e cane at one side gaging the cane near the ground and swingthereof, and a plurality of traveling chains ing it to a substantiall .upright position, upyieldingly engaging the cane at the other wardly and rearwar ly inclined conveyor 15 i 5 side thereof at points above and below the chains arranged to grasp the cane fed by point of engagement of the first mentioned the pick-up chains 1n a substantially up- 1 chain to carry the'cane without substantially right position, and means to intercept the j lateral tilting upwardly and rearwardly lower ends of the cane stalks in the grasp Y through the machine. of the conveyor chains to tilt the cane to an 20 10. 41. In a machine of the character deinclined position. scribed, the combination of inclined, con- GEORGE D. LUCE. 

